Sociology summary

The author asks tutee a few questions to show thoughts about the teenager suicide cases not only in Brownfield but also in many places elsewhere in the world. These questions are asked on page 10 and 11 of the book Mapping the Social Landscape, in which she asked,” did the burnouts see themselves as a community under Sergei and ” what betrayed them in the long, cold night? Was the suicide pact an act of cowardice by four ‘losers,’ or the final refuge of kids helplessly and hopelessly trapped? ” 2. What are the research methods used by the author to answer the question?

The author used details, information and materials from other scientific researches and from books to explain the origin of the phrase “teenage suicide” at the start of this article, after introducing the suicidal pact in Brownfield, then the author decided to take investigation and go to Brownfield in person. There she spent two years staying With those who were called “druggies”, “burnouts” and “diarists”. She evaluated different factors that could possibly cause teenager to commit suicide, such as family situations, economic situations, educational environment and media. 3.

From the data collected, what are the author’s most important arguments contained in the article. Thoroughly explain the data used by the author to support the arguments. The reason why teenagers commit suicide is, as the author illustrated, “specific coloratura patterns, particular conditions and unique constellation of circumstances”. First of all, the author thinks it is the education. They are called “burnouts”, and they are considered kids near the bottom-? academically, economically, and socially. (PA 1) As schools only want them to get higher grades and go to good colleges like the preps, jock’s or brains.

This make them feel like they have nothing to do and just don’t fit into the surrounding world. They operate in an existential situation, which is hapless, tragic and defiant. Also one Of the major factor the author believes teens are committing suicide is because of the boredom the surroundings created. ‘The after-school activities were limited to academics, sports, or organized school clubs. ‘(PA 2) They feel bored and the lack of “anything to do” often led to drug and alcohol abuse. (Pl 3) Last but not least the author mentioned the family factors, that parents think that teenagers are getting wasted hanging out.

As suburban kids, they have limited activities and access to outside world, which make them feel bored, abandoned, and finally desperate. 4. What are the author’s conclusions? They may be listed. The author draws conclusion by explaining why so many teens have been committing suicide. In her opinion, teenage suicide will not be gone until their bad and hopeless lives are gone. (Pl 9). Talking about factors, the author believes education, boredom and families are major responsible. 5. What is your critique of the article in terms of what it accomplished and failed to accomplish? Why?

Include your opinion about the methodology used. How could it have been improved? The whole article did well in explaining and illustrating the points the author tries to make. There is only one point that I cannot fully agree. Talking about the reason why teens commit suicide, the author used the word boredom. However, I think that boredom cannot be fully considered a reason for turning to suicide. If feel bored, I will find something to do to enjoy. Teenagers cannot simply wait and expect to have everything ready for you. Boredom couldn’t be 100% blamed, only if when boredom created oppression and sense of failure to teenagers. . List any examples of bias or faulty reasoning that you found in the article. 7. How does the article relate to other readings or videos that we have seen, discussed or read this semester? In what ways? Be specific. This article can be related to Mill’s article, in which he talked about unemployment and how it affects people, and individual affairs and public issues. Gainer’s article also mentioned teenage suicide as a public issue when it develops and becomes popular among youngsters, and people should be aware of that. 1 . What is the central question the author is striving to answer?

Where in the article did you find the question? In other words, where are they located in the article? How vulnerable were the Chicanes to exploitation, racism and sexism? Did their day work status and U. S. Citizenship provide protection against degradation and humiliation? How did the Chicane go about establishing a labor arrangement within a society that marked them as racial and cultural inferior? How did they deal with racial slur and sexist remark? How did they attempt to negotiate social interactions and informal labor arrangements with employers and their families?

She used interviews in her research. As illustrated in her essay, she chose 25 women who live in El Paso TX who have worked as domestic cleaners and similar works. The more people she interviewed, the more data she has got. She talked to them a lot to gather enough data for the research, such as life and house. This can also be called in-depth interviews. Support the arguments. The author suggests that to most Chicanes, getting a job or work as a domestic worker isn’t that bad. It is paid, as well as they have shelter to live.

Also it is much safer and humbugging compared to those lower class jobs at that time. For many, domestic service is part of the underground economy, and employing undocumented workers is reported neither to the IRS nor to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), thus making another source of statistical information unreliable. On the one hand, cleaning houses is degrading and embarrassing; on the other, domestic service can be higher paying more autonomous, and less dehumidifying than other low-status, low- skilled occupations.

In comparison with other jobs they had held, domestic service usually paid more and offered greater flexibility in arranging the length of the workday and workweek. Housework is set on the basis of gender, but it is further divided by the lines of class, races and ethnicity, even within the group Of the Feminists. Think that to make the sample more typical, larger amount of interviewee is needed. Also there should be more talk on the future of this underground career. The author seems to ignore sexuality in the research part where she mentioned sexual flirting previously.